I really cannot believe I’ve been doing this for 2 years. {Really, I count it at about a year and a half…because for the first 6 months I had no clue what I was doing.} So much has happened and changed in the past two years, I can’t even wrap my mind around it.

This little blog of mine started as something to keep me busy while Jordan was in Kindergarten. I read exactly one blog before starting mine: Bakerella. And I thought, hey, I can do this too.

Sometimes I want to hide the evidence of my earlier work. I’ve thought about deleting the horrible photos and non-existent content.

But then I realize…it’s all part of the childhood of this blog. I did a lot of things in my youth I’d rather forget *cough* but I know it’s made me who I am today.

So I’m leaving all the ugly, to remind me of how far I’ve come.

I’ve learned a loooooot over the past two years. What’s funny? I still feel like I have So. Much. To. Learn.

But, in honor of my girls’ 2nd birthday, I thought I’d share a few things with you. Aren’t you excited?

1. Linky parties, while sometimes tedious, are a blog’s best friend. They are, first and foremost, the way I’ve grown my blog.

2. Photos. Now, believe me, I’m not going to say “you’ll never make it without a DSLR!” because I don’t use one. Now, in full disclosure, I plan to get one in the next 6 months. {And, according to what I’ve read, I’ll instantly become an awesome photographer and make it BIG in the blogging world, so watch out.}

<Insert sarcasm HERE.>

But seriously, you have to take time with your photos. Plan never to serve a full set of cupcakes – one will be missing because you had to take a bite of it to get a good shot. Cakes will be served already cut. I resisted this for a long time – until I realized the best time of day for photos in my kitchen is 11am-2pm. That’s when everything gets photographed. No exceptions.

Oh, and editing. Thank God for that!

3. Think outside the chocolate chip cookie. Basic recipes are great, don’t get me wrong, I love them. But I have found that (for me) the random crazy ideas get the most hits. Or, the mundane, redone ideas made in a new way skyrocket (peanut butter football, anyone?).

4. Find a community, because they are some of the best friends you’ll ever make. Seriously.

When I first started blogging I kept reading about “community” and how great it was. I was all “pffft. What community?” And then I realized I had to make one. I had to reach out and make friends – something I’m obviously not good at in real life or in internet life.

Once I did, oh my god, my world opened up and it rained glitter and rainbows and Skittles.

I have made some of the best friends I’ve ever had through this blog. No joke. Some are close to me and we actually get to hang out. Some are far away and we correspond via comments, emails, and texts. Most of these gals? I’ve never even met. But I know they’ve got my back.

They are friends for life, and that is the singular best thing about this blogging thing. Hands down.

So, because it’s her birthday, Crazy for Crust wanted to thank you. She gathered up a few of her owner’s favorite things to give away.

Because seriously, would I be here right now without all of you? Nowhere. YOU are the reason I cannot wait to turn on my computer each morning. YOU are the reason I look forward to my job. So thank you. I heart you all!

These are a few of my favorite things. I heart them all. Here’s what I’m giving you today:

A jar of Biscoff. Doilies (something I looove for photos). My favorite icing tip, a 1M. My favorite nail polish: NYC In a NY Minute Tribeca Silver (because who has time to wait for nails to dry?). Sprinkles (of course) and a bottle of Butter Emulsion (like butter extract, only better…so you can make these Funfetti Cake Batter Pies too!)

And that’s not all. I wracked my brain for what to give away and realized I was wearing it.

My pie necklace. You know, the one from Fakery Bakery 2? I love it. SO much. So I’m giving away one item (a necklace, ring, or earrings, up to a $14 value) from my favorite jewlery store! ***Giveaway has ended***

So, what, you came here for the Funfetti Cake Batter Pies? Silly me.

These pies have a flaky crust and are filled with a cake batter cookie and topped with a cake batter whipped cream buttercream.

There is no cake mix in these at all. All the cake batter flavor comes from that butter emulsion, and some vanilla. It’s to die for, really. (I found mine at Ross. They sell butter extract at Walmart.)

This is the first time I’ve used vinegar in a crust and O.M.G. I am so doing it again. It made it unbelievably flaky!

Paired with the cookie and the whipped cream, well. Another OMG. These were truly addicting. The perfect way to celebrate a birthday!

Make the crust: Pulse flour and salt in a food processor. Add butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add water and vinegar and pulse until the mixture forms a ball. Remove from food processor and lay dough on a sheet of wax paper. Press to a flatten slightly. Top with another sheet of waxed paper and roll until about 1/4” thick. While you are rolling, occasionally remove top wax paper sheet and flip the dough over to remove the bottom waxed paper sheet so that it doesn’t stick. (Alternately, you can chill the dough for 1-2 hours until firm, then roll it out with a little flour. I don’t like the mess.)

Chill the rolled crust for at least 30 minutes while you make the cookie dough.

Make the cookie dough: cream the butter and sugar together using a stand or a hand mixer. Beat in egg, butter and vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour and mix until a dough forms. Stir in sprinkles.

Remove chilled crust from refrigerator. Use a large circle cookie cutter to cut circles of dough. Gently press each circle into the bottom of a muffin pan that has been lined with cupcake liners. Add two tablespoons of cookie dough to each pie crust, pressing to level.

Chill pies for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake for about 22 minutes, until tops are just turning golden brown. Let cool completely before frosting.

Recipe Source: www.crazyforcrust.com | (c) Crazy for Crust All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without my permission. If you wish to republish my recipe, please re-write it in your own words or link back to this recipe.

Omg these look TO DIE for! If only there was an invention that would make these babies disappear from the internet and appear into my hands? *sigh* lol

Thank you, Dorothy, for all your awesome recipes! Your blog was one of the first I discovered before I decided to start posting my own recipes on my blog. And your photos are my inspiration to tell my pictures to get their act together! lol

So happy birthday, and can’t wait for more recipes!

(P.S- just wanted to confirm…the giveaway is probably only open to US residents right?)

One thing I’ve learned about blogging is you only get out of it what you put into it. This year has proved that- I finally got a schedule set and am consistent in posting and my numbers this year are more than the previous three combined.
Even better than that I love blogging and all the great friends I have made in other bloggers and my readers.

I’ve learned that there is no ‘right’ way to blog. Perfectionist that I am, this has been a hard lesson to learn, but makes me have more fun when writing about whatever I want, when I don’t have to worry about whether it’s the right way to do it!

*Corny Alert!* but the biggest thing I’ve found through blogging is you! It’s true. You have helped me form this awesome community of friends all around and I’m SO grateful to call you a real-life friend and a bloggy bestie. I mean, how lucky did we get living 2 minutes away? And how lucky am I to have you to walk, chat and brainstorm with as a neighbor, friend and fellow blogger? Totally awesome!! Also, these pies were AHMAZING. Words cannot describe, people. I am in loooooove and it’s with a pie.

Oh my word Dorothy! What an adorable post, full of warm & fuzzies and so much F.U.N! These little pies are just darling. LOVE the sprinkles all over. And the giveaway – WOWZERS! Congrats on your 2 yr blogiversary. You are a real pro at what you do, and we are all glad we have you in our world too. You ‘sweeten’ it in ways no other can. Please stop by my blog and pick up your “Super Sweet Blogging Award”….and I didn’t even know you were having a celebration! =) http://www.thebetterbaker.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-sweet-blogging-award.html

Happy birthday, Crazy For Crust! I love you and your owner
Thank you for the never ending supply of sweets and laughs. You are inspirational!
Also, thse look incredible. I want like 6 of them.
Oh, and since I have yet to try Biscoff, I think I should win 😉

Happy, Happy Birthday! Our blogs share a Birthday month. So sweet
I LOVE your birthday cake pies! So wonderful! I bet they were Delicious!! Oh… and if you are saving one for your Mom, can you save one for me too? One of these days I’ll make it to the west coast!

Happy 2nd birthday! Yeah! Your blog is amazing and I absolutely love it. I’ve learned soooo much from blogging! Presentation! That I take sucky pictures. That I cook and bake WAY more than I clean. And finally, that I’m totally okay with baking more than I clean because it’s therapy. Oh yeah, and comments make my day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Crazy for Crust! Dorothy, I’m soooooo glad I found you in this huge world of food blogging! I think the most important thing I’ve learned (and most surprised to find) was just how much I LOVE interacting with other bloggers and readers. It’s crazy to think I’d find a sense of community and friendship with people I’ve never even met. I still have TONS to learn, but I’m getting there. Kindof. Maybe?

I have learned that blogging is what you make it. You can just post all by yourself or you can be super supportive of others and be part of a great community. I have met some pretty awesome girls through blogging that I know have my back too:-) Totally can’t wait to meet up with you all!!!

Happy Birthday! I think this post is a beautiful reflection! Blogging is a great community and it can be as great as you make it! Your beautiful dessert blog was one of the first ones I started to follow almost a year ago when I started blogging myself. I love your creativity and CAN NOT believe your pictures are taken without a DSLR! Looking forward to more Crazy for Crust! Congrats!!!

Happy Birthday!! These look amazing, I would love to have these for any celebration!! I learned so much through blogging. The biggest thing was I never realized how many different food creations I could make. I always had ideas of how to make stuff differently, but now when I see a recipe, my head is churning with so many different ideas on how to change things. I learned to always take notes or jot something down when I have an idea, that way I don’t forget it later.

I love every piece of advice you had to give. And I agree with it all! I care more about what my blog friends think than what anybody I know “IRL” thinks. Blogging is such a support and I’d have not made it in Alaska without it *happy tear*.
I love that coffee cup necklace. Too cute!

Photos for sure! It’s truly all about experience, I admit there are days when i want to delete the awful night pictures taken with a flash from the first post or two. (WHAT WAS I THINKING) golly gee yes!
Congrats Girl!

Awww, congrats on your TWO years!! I totally agree about the community! I feel like even if I put up a recipe, with a horrible photo (yeah, hate it when I can’t get good photos)…I know my community is there to support me!! I for one love your little place here on the internet Dorothy and I hope one day we can meet up!!!

I am SO with you on the DSLR. I have one…but I rarely use it. My point & shoots (Canon Elph, and a newer Powershot) do the job for me just fine most days. There are times I feel like busting out the DSLR, but most of the time–when I’m making stuff for my blog, it’s as part of a meal. I’m lucky my husband tolerates the amount of time I spend getting a good shot just with the P&S…he might murder me if I started setting up more equipment for fancier shots. He gets cranky when he’s hungry. 😀

Happy Birthday to your awesome blog! Your birthday was the 2nd blog that I came across when I started blogging in January, I love all that you do, and you are a wonderful lady, so glad that I met you in the bloggy world!

What I have learned in blogging, is the pictures, I finally learned how to take nice pictures, and also just put your heart into all your posts, when you do that, people will come and comment and want to keep coming back!

Happy Bday CFC…and to you know who? Butter emulsion = my new best friend. I think meeting you via our blogs has been so wonderful and I feel a part of your “smaller” community. You’ve helped me so much in what to do with the blog and who to talk to for help and inspiration, especially meeting Hayley and Ashton. I appreciate that sharing very, very much! You’re a class act, Dorothy!

I am starting a Blog, but I have a lot to learn yet to get it up and running, I need to get the blogging book for “dummies” they wrote that for me. In the meantime I will just keep reading wonderful Blogs like yours.

First and foremost, Happy Birthday Crazy for Crust *puts on a party hat and doing an ass in chair dance!* and happy blogiversary to you, Dorothy. Yay! You’ve come so far in those 2 yrs. I haven’t been there from the start sadly, but everything you’ve posted in the time I’ve been following has been fantastic! It’s been wonderful to [internet] meet you.

Love the giveaway items. I’m definitely in this one. The Biscoff for one. I must have that since we don’t get it here. The same goes for the butter emulsion too. As for the nail polish and doilies, I could never have too many of those. And that jewellery, ever since you posted last time about it, I’ve been craving buying one. Here’s hoping I win. *fingers crossed*

The one thing I leaned about blogging is also about the community. I didn’t quite get it too when I started (as goes for link parties, but you knew that already LOL!) I’ve [internet] met so many different people from so many different areas of the world. It’s opened up and changed my thought process and ideas. I’m still very new to blogging so I have masses to learn but hopefully getting better with each and every post.

Off topic, but I love that nail polish. I was totally checking it out this morning at Walmart! I don’t know how I found your blog, but it’s really great. I am a little jealous of bloggers, it seems so fun! Happy blogerversary!

Ok…taking your advice…took me a year….but I’m gonna do it. I would like my first week to be recipes based on “my favorite blogs”….and I’m asking your permission to use one of yours and tag it? People are always asking me where I get my ideas so I thought this would be a great place to start Let me know!!
Thanks-Lara

I’ve learned that blogging is HARD work! And that photos are waaaaayyyyyy more important than I ever thought! And that it’s really fun.
Happy bloggiversary, Dorothy!!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground